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The World Cup kicks off this Friday in South Africa, and guest blogger/soccer diehard Michael Cree will be here Monday through Thursday to give you an exclusive preview of the tournament’s biggest match-ups. Today, he provides his insights on two of the most tantalizing groups of the draw. – KW

But when you strip away all the “hoo-ha,” it’s about 32 teams desperate to win soccer’s grand prize. And 32 sets of fans who want it even more. So who’s going to prevail on July 11? Can Italy hold on to the trophy? On home soil, can an African team win for the first time ever? And just how far can the United States go? We at BBC America take a look at the chances of all 32 teams vying for superstardom.

Group A

South Africa, Mexico, Uruguay, and France

As hosts, South Africa has a lot of pressure to deal with. But the “Bafana-Bafana” will also have fanatical homefield support behind them, a massive advantage in any international tournament. And they’ll need it. Much like in previous tournaments, the team will rely on an English-based hero to carry them through. Steven Pienaar, a tricky winger with Everton, will be charged with scoring more goals than his team’s notoriously leaky defense concedes.

But there is a weakness. Coach Raymond Domenech, who is derided in his homeland, doesn’t inspire confidence and only serves to hamper his team’s ability with strange tactical decision-making. Unlike four years ago, they have no chance of making the Final this time around.

Thierry Henry

Fighting for second spot in the group with South Africa will be Uruguay and Mexico. The former, like France, had a tough time qualifying from their admittedly grueling South American pool. But it is to their considerable credit that they did. Two-time World Cup winners (yes, really), Uruguayan soccer is typified by neat skill and individual quality, two attributes that former Manchester United and current Atletico Madrid No. 9, Diego Forlan, has in abundance. Frustrating at times, Forlan has had a wonderful season in Spain and enters the tournament in excellent form.

Diego Forlan

Unlike Uruguay, Mexico has no superstar to rely on. They have some very skillful players, namely Carlos Vela of Arsenal and Giovani Dos Santos of London rivals Tottenham Hotspur, but it remains to be seen if the team can “do the business” against established soccer nations. It must be noted that the most difficult team Mexico had to play to qualify for the tournament was the United States, who have a far superior head-to-head record. Against South Africa, Uruguay, and France, they face a tall order to advance beyond the group stages.